Retrievable parallel string well packer apparatus



Sept. 12, 1961 M. B. CGNRAD ET AL RETRIEVABLE PARALLEL STRING WELLPACKER APPARATUS Filed June 9, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 rraeMfJ/s.

Sept 12, 1961 M. B. CONRAD ET A1. 2,999,544

RETRIEVABLE PARALLEL STRING WELL PACKER APPARATUS Arran/fus,

Sept. 12, 1961 M. B. CONRAD ET AL 2,999,544

RETRIEVABLE PARALLEL STRING WELL PACKER APPARATUS Filed June 9, 1958 4Sheets-Sheet 5 j ,3: f j l Jima@ rfaPn/fys Sept 12, 1961 M. B. CONRAD ETAL 2,999,544

RETRIEVABLE PARALLEL STRING WELL PACKER APPARATUS Filed June 9, 1958 4Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS. Mer/fu Caf/@4D 1102.4/4/1/ 5. fle/00542; zle

United States Patent O 2,999,544 RETRIEVABLE PARALLEL STRING WELL PACKERAPPARATUS Martin B. C onrad, Downey, and William S. Althouse,

Jr., Arcadia, Calif., assignors to Baker Oil Tools, Inc.,

Los Angeles, Caiif., a corporation of California Filed June 9, 1958,Ser. No. 749,709 17 Claims. (Cl. 1456-134) The present invention relatesto subsurface well bore equipment, and more particularly to well packersadapted to be set in well casings, and the like.

An o-bject of the invention is to provide an improved retrievable wellpacker apparatus adapted to be anchored in packed-off condition in awell casing against movement in both longitudinal directions, andthrough which well bore fluid can be conducted along separate parallelpaths into separate parallel tubular strings extending to the top of thewell bore.

Another object of the invention is to provide a retriev able well packerapparatus having separate fluid conductn ing passages therethrough andcapable of being anchored in `a well casing against movement in bothlongitudinal directions, in Vwhich the well packer apparatus is readilyreleased from the well casing whenever it is to `be retrieved. Suchrelease occurs simply by taking an upward pull on one of the tubularstrings connected to the apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide Va refrievable Wellpacker apparatus having separate iiuid con ducting passages therethroughand capable of being an chored in a well casing against movement in bothlongitudinal directions, the packer apparatus being ordinarilyreleasable from the well casing merely by taking an upward pull on atubular string connected to the ap-v paratus, in which tluid circulationaround part of the apparatus can be established to remove-foreignsubstances from the packer in the event it cannot be freed from thevcasing in the ordinary manner.

'Ihis invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a formin which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of the present specication. It will now bedescribed in detail, for the purpose of il lustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that suchdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since thescope of the in- `vention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURES l and la together constitute a longitudinal section through awell packer apparatus, with parts in retracted position for lowering theapparatus in a well casing, FiG. la constituting a lower continuation ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat diagrammatic View of the apparatus anchored inpacked-oil condition against down ward movement in the well casing;

FIGS. 3 and 3a constitute a somewhat diagrammatic section through thewell packer apparatus anchored iu packed-off condition against movementin both longitudinal directions therewithin, FiG. 3a constituting alower continuation of FlG. 3;

FlG. 4 is a view ofY an upper portion of the packer apparatus,illustrating an emergency release position of tain of the parts forfacilitating removal of the apparatus from the well casing;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section taken along the line 5--5 onFIG. 1a;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section taken along the line 5--6 on FIG. 1;

f; lCe

FlG. 7 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 77 on FIG. l;

HG. S is an enlarged cross-section taken along the FIG. 9 is an enlargedcross-section taken along the line 9--3 on FIG. la;

FIG. it) is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line iii-dd onFIG. la.

The well packer apparatus A is adapted to be run in a well casing B, orsimilar conduit string, disposed in a well bore for the purpose ofconducting separate fluids through separate parallel tubular strings C,D to the top oi the well bore. The well packer may be set the wellcasing above a lower packer (not shown) for the purpose of conductingwell production from a lower zone through one passage lil in the wellpacker and into the first tubular string C extending to the top of thehole. Fluid from another formation zone between the lower and upper wellpackers passes through another passage llin the well packer A andthrough a second tubular string D extending to the top of the well bore.The well packer apparatus can be anchored in a well casing, one type `ofduid, such as oil, passing through one passage 10 and the rst tubularstring C to the top of the well bore, an= other type of uid, such asgas, passing through the second passage il and the second tubular stringD to the top of the well bore.

The well packer apparatus A includes a main body V12 having a packingstructure 13, such as` a rubber or rub-V ber-like packing sleevethereon, the upper end. of which engages an upper body abutment 14threadedly secured to the body, and the lower end of which engages theupper end ot a lower expander l5 slidable relative `to the body. Thislower expander has a downward and inwardly tapering external expandersurface i6 adapted to engage companion inner tapering surfaces l'l on alower set of slips disposed around the body of the tool. These slipsinclude upper anchoring portions 19 having downwardly facing wickets orteeth 20 adapted to engage the wall of the well casing B to anchor thewell packer against downward movement therewithin. The slips alsoinclude lower drag portions 2l urged into frictional engagement with thewall of the well casing by helical compression springs 22 in order toresist movement of the slip structure within the well casing. The slips18 are carried by a slip supporting sleeve 23 slidahly mounted on thebody i?) and having circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extendinggrooves 24 therein receiving the slips. Each spring 22 bears against thebase of a groove 24 and against the drag portion 2i of a slip, tendingto hold the drag portion out against the casing and rocking theanchoring portion 1g inwardly away from the Well casing. The slips 1Sare confined for joint longitudinal movement by virtue of their lowerends engaging a stop ring 25 secured to the slip sleeve 23 by one ormore longitudinally extending screws 2d, and by a retaining ring 27disposed within an external groove 2S in the slips between their anchorportions 19 and drag portions 2i. This ring 2.7 is engagea-ble with thelower sides of the slip grooves 28, upward movement of the ring being`prevented by its engagement with an externalV upper flange 29 proiectingfrom the slip sleeve 23.

When the apparatus is out of the well casing,` outward ward movement ofthe slips i3 under the influence of the helical compression springs 22is limited by their engagement with the retaining ring 27 and also byengagement of their lower foot portions 30 with the upwardly extendingrim portion 31 of the stop ring 25.

The anchoring portions 19 of the lower slips 18 and the packing sleeve13 can be expanded into engagement with the well casing B whenever thebody 12 is permitted to move downwardly relative to the lower slips.

Initially, such relative downward movement is prohibited by a releasablelock device. As disclosed, the lock device includes a pair of opposedblocks 32, welded or otherwise secured to opposed hat sides 33 of thebody l12 of the tool. Mounted in a bore 34 in each block is a stop pin(see particularly FIG. 5), the pin being welded to the block 32. Thepins depend from the blocks, with their lower ends received withinrecesses 36 in lock lugs 37 secured to the stop ring 25 in any suitablemanner, as through use of welding material 38. On each side of each stoplug 37 there is `a substantial space 39 into which the pins 35 canenter, as described hereinbelow.

. With the pins 35 received in the lug sockets 35, downward movement ofthe body l2 is transferred through the pins 35 to the stop ring 25 andslip sleeve Z3, resulting in movement of the slip structure down alongthe casing B with the body 12. When the slips are to be anchored againstthe casing, the body 12 is elevated with respect to the slips 1S, whichwill occur inasmuch as the drag portions 21 of the slips arefrictionally engaging the wall of the well casing and are resistinglongitudinal movement of the entire slip structure. The body need merelybe elevated a short distance to pull the lock or coupling pins 35 out ofthe sockets 36, whereupon the body is turned in either direction aportion of a revolution, to the extent at which the pins are alignedwith the spaces 39 to one side of the lugs 3'7". The body l2 can now belowered, which will effect la lowering of the packing sleeve 13 andexpander l5 relative to the slips 18, which are still prevented fromlowering by the frictional engagement of the drag portions 2l againstthe Wall of the well casing. Such lowering movement will 'rst shift thelower expander l5 within the slips 18, rocking their anchoring portions19 into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing. Acontinuation of the lowering movement of the body l2 will then move theupper body abutment i4 toward the lower expander l5 to foreshorten andcompress the packing sleeve 13 and effect its expansion into tirmsealing ent gagement with the wall of the well casing B (FIG. 2). Whenthe packing sleeve 13 and slips 18 are to be retracted, the body 12 needmerely be moved upwardly, which will effect elevation of the upper bodyabutment 14 from the lower expander l5, allowing the packing sleeve i3to retract inherently to its original position. A continuation of theupward movement will then cause the body blocks 32 to engage the lowerend of the expander l5 and elevate it from the anchor portions l' of theslips, allowing `the springs 2E to rock the drag portions 21 of theslips back into full surface engagement with the well casing B and theanchoring portions 19 inwardly away from the well casing. The upwardmovement of the body l2 relative to the slip structure is limited byengagement of a stop ring 42, in the form of a split snap ring containedwithin a peripheral groove 43 in the body, with the lower end of thestop ring 25.

After the lower slips 18 and the packing sleeve i3 have been expandedagainst the well casing B, an upper series of slip members is setagainst the well casing to anchor the well packer against upwardmovement in the well casing. A lower split contractile slip ring 44 er1-,compasses the body 12, with its lower end engaging the upper abutment14. Preferably, the upper end 45 of the body abutment 14 is tapered inan upward and inward direction and engaging a companion taper at thelower end of the ring 44. This ring has an inner expander surface 4dengaging a companion tapered surface 47 on a lower expander 4S which isinclined in a downward and inward direction, this lower expander beingslidable along the body of the tool. The upper end 49 of this expander48 is tapered in an upward and inward direction and engaging a companionlower surface on an intermediate inherently contractile slip ring Sil,which has an upper inner expander surface 51 engaging an .4 externalexpander surface 52 on an intermediate expander 53 slidable along thebody. This intermediate expander, in turn, has an upper surface 54tapering upwardly and inwardly and engageable with a companion lowersurface on another intermediate inherently contractile slip ring 55having an upper tapered surface 56 engaging a companion tapered surface57 inclined in a downward and inward direction on a second intermediateexpander 58 slidable along the body 12 of the tool. This secondintermediate expander 58 has an upper surface 59 inclined in an upwardand inward direction engaging a companion tapered surface on an upperinherently contractile slip ring 6i) which has an upper inner expandersurface 61 engaging a companion surface 62 tapering in a downward andinward direction of an upper expander 63 slidable on the body of thetool. The upper expander 63 constitutes the lower end of a thrust sleeve64 which extends above the upper end of the tool body. This thrustsleeve vmay have circumferentially spaced, longitudinal slots 65therethrough to permit fluid to be circulated through the sleeve for thepurpose described hereinbelow. a

All of the upper expander members 48, 53, 58, 63 have their expandersurfaces tapering in a downward and inward direction, whereas all of theinherently contractile slip rings or sleeves d4, 50, 55, 6d haveexternal Ywickets or teeth 66 facing in an upward direction. In View oftheir inherent contractability, the slip rings 44, 50, 55, 60 tend toremain in a retracted position. However, upon downward movement of theupper thrust sleeve64 and upper expander 63 toward the upper bodyabutment 14, all of the expanders and slip sleeves are moved in adownward direction, the lower expander 48 being forced behind the lowerslip ring 44 to engage its wickers 66 with the wall of the casing,whereupon the frst intermediate slip sleeve 50 is urged by the firstintermediate expander 53, that moves downwardly therebehind, intoanchoring engagement with the well casing, followed by movement of thesecond intermediate expander 58 down within the second slip sleeve 5S toexpand the latter into anchoring engagement with the well casing,followed, nally, by movement of the upper expander 63 within the upperslip sleeve 68 to expand the latter into anchoring engagement with thewall of the well casing (FIGS. 3 and 3a). The maintenance of asufficient downward load on the thrust sleeve 64, as explainedhereinafter, will insure the Wedging of the various expanders behind theseveral slip sleeves and will hold the upwardly facing wickers or teeth66 of the latter in anchoring engagement with the wall of the wellcasing.

The aforementioned expansion of the slip sleeves into anchoringengagement with the well casing occurs after the lower expander l5 andthe lower packing sleeve 13 have been expanded into engagement with thewell casing B. Thus, the lower slips 18 will prevent downward movementof the well packer A in the well casing, whereas the upwardly facingwickers 66 of the slip sleeves 44, Sti, 55, 68 will prevent upwardmovement of the well packer A and its body 12 within the well casing B.

When the upper slip rings 44, 50, 55, 60 are to be released from thewell casing B, the thrust sleeve 64 need merely be shifted upwardly.Such upward movement will allow the upper slip sleeve 6@ to retractinherently. The upward movement of the upper expander 63 is transferredthrough a split retrieving sleeve '/'l that is connected to the upperexpander 63 by meansof the upper sleeve flange '71, this sleeve llangebeing sL'da-ble behind the intermediate expander 58 and in a counterbore72 of the latter. The lower end of the retrieving sleeve has anoutwardly directed flange 73 adapted to engage an inner shoulder 74 onthe intermediate expander. Thus, when the upper expander 63 moves upwardly, the retrieving sleeve ilange '73 will engage the intermediateexpander 5S and pull the latter upwardly escasas with respect to theintermediate slip sleeve '55, the latter then retracting inherently fromthe well casing. Similarly, a continuation of the upward movement votthe upper expander 63 and tirst intermediate expander 58 will betransferred through an intermediate retrieving sleeve 75, whichinterconnects' the two intermediate expanders 58, 55 to pull the lowerintermediate expander 153 upwardly from behind the lower intermediateslip ring 50, allowu ing the latter to retract inherently from the wellcasing. This lower intermediate expander S3 is connected through aretrieving sleeve 76 slidable on the body l2 with the lower expander 43,the movement of 4the three upper expanders 63, S53, 53 then pulling thelower expander i3 upwardly relative to the lower slip ring 44, allowingthe latter to retract inherently from the `well casing. Finally, thelower expander i8 may be connected to the upper body abutment ,la by aretrieving sleeve 77 slidable on the body.

in all cases, it is to be noted that the retrieving sleeves can movedownwardly within a counterbore 72 in the several expanders and thecounterbore 72 in the upper body abutment 14, the lower invertedexpander 48 being movable toward the upper body abutment 14, `the rstintermediate expander 53 toward the lower expander 43, the secondintermediate expander 58 toward the first intermediate expander 53, andthe upper expander 63 toward the second intermediate expander 58. Themovement of the inverted expanders toward each other and of the lowerexpander 48 toward the upper body abutment 14 will result in theexpansion of all of the split slip rings into anchoring engagement withthe wall of the well casing. The movement of the upper expander 63 in anupward direction will progressively cause its retrieving ,sleeve itl tocontact the rst intermediate pander 58 to pull it upwardly, the latterthen pulling `upwardly on the lower intermediate expander 53, which willthen exert its pull through the ,intermediate sleeve 76 on the lowerexpander 48, which will, in turn, exert a pull on the upper bodyabutment 14 through the lowermost retrieving sleeve 76.

The well packer A illustrated in the drawings' has been particularlydesigned to be used in conjunction with the iirst and second tubularstrings C, D, which are disposed in side-by-side or parallel relationwithin the Well casing B and which extend to the top ofthe well bore.The apparatus is lowered in the well casing by means of the .lrsttubular string C which is connected, through Va coupling 89, to an uppertubing 81 that extends downwardly through the upper guide portion 82 or"a head 83 thread- `edly secured to a second tubing 84 which projectsthrough the upper end of the thrust sleeve 64 and `which extends into acounterbore 85 in the upper end of the body 12, this counterboreconstituting the upper portion of the second body passage lll extendingcompletely through the body. The second thrust tubing 84 has an externalflange 86 thereon engageable with the upper end of the thrust sleeve 64,as well as a shear ring 37 engaging the lower surface of the thrustsleeve 54, this shear ring being split and disposed within an externalgroove 53 in the second tubing 84. Below the shear ring S7 and wellabove the upper end of the body 12, the `second tubin 84 carries a splitstop Vring 39 which is disposed within a `peripheral groove 90 in thetubing 84, and which is adapted to engage the upper `portion of thethrust ring 64, as explained hereinbelow.

The lower end of the first tubing 81 extends through the thrust sleeve64, its' terminal portion being constituted as a threaded pin 91threadedly connected to a threaded box portion $2 at the upper end ofthe body 12, which constitutes the upper end of the first body passage1t) extending completely through the body of the tool and substantiallyparallel to the second body passage 1l. A coupling 93 may be threaded tothe Vlower end of the body 12, this coupling then also being threadedlyattached to a lower tubing 94 that may extend a substantial `distancebelow the packer apparatusaiid/which may be placed in appropriates'ealing relation to a lower packer (not shown) anchored in packed-ottcondition in the well casing.

Production from the lower zone may pass therough the lower packer (notshown), up through the lower tubing 94, then passing through the tirstbody passage4 vlil and into the iirst tubing 8l `for continued upward,tlow through the iirst tubular string C to the top of the well bore.Fluid from an intermediate zone between the lower packer and the packerapparatus illustrated may pass into the well casing B and .thenceupwardly through the second body passage ll into the VVsecond tubing Sd,and thence into a second passage 97 in the head, which is adapted toreceive the lower portion of the second tubular string D when it islowered down the well casing. The lower end of this second tubularstring D will iengage the rusto-conical guide surface 82 at the upperend of thehead S3, which tapers toward the second vpassage 97 to `guidethe second tubing into the second passage `until `its lower end engagesa stop shoulder 93 `formed in `the head. This second tubing has asuitable side seal A99 thereon engaging the wall of the second passage97 and preferably also has a threaded latch itl thereon, of the ratchettype, adapted to ratchet along internal threads lil in the head pasage97 until it -is disposed opposite such threads, whereupon a holdingsurface lt'iZ on the second tubular string D will move upwardly behindthe latch 10i), upon slight upward elevation of the Isecond tubularstring, to hold the latch threads in engagement with the internalthreads lill in the head. The split threaded latch sleeve 100 may have a`key 103 thereon slidable in a longitudinal keyway lil/i in the secondtubular member D to allow rotation of the second tubular string, as tothe right, to unscrew the left-hand threads of the latch from thecompanion lett-hand threads 101 in the head 82, inthe event it isdesired to remove the second V,tubular string D from the well borewithout removing -nected through the irst tubing 81 to the body l2 ofthe tool, the -lirst tubing being threaded within the threaded box 92 ofthe body. The apparatus is run in the well casing to the desired settinglocation in the well bore, which, for example, may be determined byengagement of the lower tubing 94 with a lower packer (not shown). Whenthis position in reached, the iirst tubular string C is elevated a shortdistance, as, for example, about one foot, which elevating movement willlift the lock or coupling pins 35 from the sockets 36. The lirst tubularstring may now be turned in the proper direction, Yas to the left, toalign the coupling pins with the spaces 39 to one side of the lock lugs37, and the lirst tubular string C can now be lowered. Such downwardmovement is transferred through the iirst tubing Si to the body of thetool and through the upper abutment i4 and packing sleeve 13 to thelower expander i5, shifting the Alower expander downwardly within thelower Vslips 8, which are prevented from moving downwardly by thefrictional engagement of the drag portions 21 against the wall of thewell casing B. The lower expander moves down behind these slips androcks the slips about their drag portions to place their anchoringportions :19 into firm engagement with the wall of the well casing. Whenthis occurs, the lower expander 1S can move downwardly no longer,whereupon a continuation of the downward movement of the body l2 movesthe upper abutment 14 toward the expander 15 to foreshorten 'the packingsleeve 13 and expand it outwardly against the wall of the well casing.The parts now occupy the :position illustrated somewhat diagrammaticallyin FIG. 2. At this time, however, the upper slip and Aexpander membersstill `occupy their retracted positions on the apparatus.

Following the setting of the lower slips and packing structure againstthe well casing, the second tubular string D is run in the Well casing Balongside the iirst tubular string C. When its lower end engages thefrusto-conical guide surface 82 it is steered or guided toward thesecond passage 97 in the head 82 and will enter this head until itslower end engages the head shoulder 98. Weight is noW set down on thesecond tubular string D, which is transferred through the shoulder 98 tothe second tubing 84, which telescopes down within the counterbore 85.The downward movement is transferred through the thrust flange 86 to thethrust sleeve 64, which then shifts the reverse cone expander-s 63, 58,53, 48 and the companion slip rings 60, 55, 50, 44 downwardly, toprogressively expand the slip rings outwardly into anchoring engagementwith the wall of the well casing, in the manner described hereinabove.These slips will then prevent upward movement of the body 12 of `thetool within the well casing, particularly as a result of imposingadequate down weight on the second tubular string D, which istransmitted to the upper expanders and slip structures through the headS3, second tubular string 84, and the thrust sleeve 64. After the upperslip members have been anchored against the well casing, the downwardstrain on the trst tubular string C can be removed, if desired. In fact,the irst tubular string C can be placed in tension, provided the amountof tension is not excessive, and the packer A will still remain anchoredin packed-olf condition against longitudinal movement in both an upwardand a downward direction.

Production can now dow from a lower zone through rthe lower tubing 94and the first passage 10 in the body 12, up through the first tubing 81and iirst tubular string C to the top ot the hole. Production can alsoflow through a separate path from an upper zone into the second bodypassage l1, continuing on up through the second tubing 84 and passage 97into the second tubular string D and to the top of the well bore. Thus,production from different Zones or different types of fluid can beseparately conducted through the parallel strings C, D to the top of thewell bore.

In the event it is desired to release and retrieve the packer A, anupward pull is taken on the second tubular string D. Since such stringis connected to the head 83 through the threaded latch 1,90, the upwardpull is transferred through the head to the second tubing 84, andthrough the shear ring 87 to the thrust sleeve 6d. This upward movementmovesthe upper expander 63 upwardly along the body 12, the upwardmovement of the upper expander being progressively imparted to theintermediate expanders 58, 53 and the lower expander 48 through theinterconnecting retrieving sleeves 70, 75, 76, 77 to relieve the wedgingaction of the expanders behind vthe split slip sleeves 60, 55, S9, 44and allowing the latter to retract inherently from the well casing, inview of the substantial retraction force that they inherently possess.Upward movement of the second tubular string D can be discontinued whenit is pulled upwardly sufcient to en- Vable the upper slip members 'toretract, whereupon an V.upward strain can be taken on the first tubularstring C.

if the upper slips have retracted, then the upward movement of the firsttubular string will exert an upward pull on the body 12 of the tool toenable the packing sleeve continuation of the upward pull on the firsttubular string C will eifect free upward movement of the packer, whichneed only occur to a small extent. Prior to such up- I ward'rnovement,the second tubular string D is rotated 'to the right to unscrew itslatch 100 from the left-hand 4threads 101 of the head, this secondtubular string D then being elevated above the head 83 for a substantialdistance, as, for example, about ten feet. If the packer has moved upthe hole freely upon the taking of an upward strain on the first tubularstring C, then the second tubular string D can be removed completelyfrom the well bore, after which the rst tubular string C is elevated inthe well casing to remove the apparatus A to the top of the hole.

in the event that the unscrewing of the second tubular string D from thehead 83, following its manipulation to release the upper slip members,does not result in freeing ot the packer A when an upward pull is takenon the first tubular string C, the emergency circulating and releaseportion of the apparatus can be placed in operation. The second tubularstring D is reinserted into the head or receptacle and its threadedlatch 100 replaced in threaded connection with the left-hand threadslill in the head. An upward pull is then taken on the second tubularstring D, which pulls upwardly on the head S3. When this upward pnl-lexceeds the shear strength of the ring 87, the latter is disrupted,which then enables the second tubing 84 to be moved completely out ofthe conuterbore 85 a short distance above the upper end of the packerbody 12, such as shown in FIG. 4, this position being determined byengagement of the stop rings 39 with the upper end of the thrust sleeve64, or of the outer portion of the sheared ring S7, which is engagingthe upper portion of the thrust sleeve. Circulation can now beestablished down through the second tubular string D, this fluiddischarging on top of the packer and passing out through the slots 65 inthe thrust sleeve 64 to remove any sand, sediment or other material thatmay have accurnulated on top of the well packer, and which is precludingits parts from being shifted to retracted position, or if such partshave been retracted, which is still preventing elevation of the wellpacker. Circulation can either be established down through the second Dtubular string and then up around the second tubular string, or reversecirculation can be established down through the casing B around thetubular string D, the circulating fluid washing the upper portion of thewell packer and then carrying the foreign material with it into thelower end of the second tubing 84, continuing on up through the secondtubing and the second tubular string D to the top of the well bore. Suchcirculation will free the well packer A and enable it to be retrievedfrom the well bore. if an upward strain is now taken on the trst tubularstring C and the well packer has been released, then the second tubularstring D is again released from the head by unthreading its latch 90from its companion threaded box 101, the second tubular string D beingremoved completely from the well bore, followed by elevation of the rsttubular string C to remove the well packer apparatus A completely fromthe well bore.

The inventors claim:

l. In a well apparatus adapted to be set in a wel conduit disposed in awell bore: a body; normally retracted means on said cody operable bymanipulation of said body for anchoring said body to the well conduitagainst downward movement therewithin; a plurality' of `longitudinallyspaced expanders on said body, each expander having an expander surfacetapering in a downward and inward direction; a plurality of sets ofnormally retracted slips engaging said expander surfaces; said expandersand slip Sets being arranged in series and being interassociated; meansfor shifting said expanders and slips simultaneously longitudinally ofeach other to expand said slips into engagement with the well conduit;said slips having conduit engaging teeth facing in an upward direction`to prevent upward movement of said body in the well conduit.

2. In a well apparatus adapted to be set in a well conduit disposed in awell bore: a body; normally retracted means on said body operable bymanipulation of said body for anchoring said body to the well conduitacca-eas against downward movement therewithin; a pluralityroflongitudinally spaced expanders on said body, each expander having anVexpander surface tapering in a downward and inward direction; aplurality of sets of normally retracted slips engaging 'said expandersurfaces; said sets of slips being disposed between adjacent expander-s;means for shifting said expanders downwardly along said body and slipsto expand said slips into engagement with the well conduit; said slipshaving conduit engaging teeth facing in an upward direction to preventupward movement of said body in the well conduit.

3. Ina well apparatus vadapted to be set in a well conduit disposed in arwell bore: a body; normally retracted means on said body expandible bydown-ward movement of said body against the well conduit to anchor thebody therewithin against downward movement; a plurality oflongitudinally spaced expanders on said body, each ex pander having an`expander surface tapering in a downward and inward direction; aplurality of sets of normally retracted slips engaging said expandersurfaces; said sets of slips being disposed between adjacent expanders;means for shifting said `expanders downwardly along said body and slipsto expand said slips into engagement with the well conduit; said slipshaving conduit engaging teeth facing in an upward direction to prevent`upward movement of said body in the Well conduit.

4. In a well apparatus adapted to be set in a well conduit disposed in awell bore: a body; normally Aretracted means on said body operable bymanipulation of said body for vanchoring 'said body to the well conduitagainst downward movement therewithin; a plurality of 4longitudinallyspaced `expanders on said body, each expander having an expander surfacetapering in a downward and inward direction; a plurality of sets Vofnormally retracted slips engaging said expander surfaces; said sets ofslips being disposed between adjacent expanders; means for shifting saidexpanders downwardly along said body and slips to expand said slips intoengagement with the well conduit; Vsaid slips having conduit engagingteeth facing in an upward direction to prevent upward movement of saidbody inthe 'Well conduit; and retrieving means interconnecting saidexpanders to transmit upward motion of one expander to another expander.

5. In a well packer adapted to be set in a well conduit disposed in awell bore: a body; a rst string extending to the top of the well boreand operatively associated with said body; a second string extending tothe top of the well bore and operatively associated with said body;first normally .retracted means on said body expandible into anchoringengagement with the conduit to hold the body against downward movementin the conduit; means for transmitting the manipulative movement of saidrst string to said normally retracted means to expand the same againstthe conduit; second normally retracted means on said body expandibleinto anchoring engagement with the .conduit to hold the body againstupward movement in the conduit; and 'means for transmitting themanipulative movement of said second string to said second normallyretracted means to expand the same against the conduit.

`6. In a well apparatus adapted to be set in a well conduit disposed ina well bore: a Ybody having passage means therethrough; `a rst tubularstring operatively asaociated with said body and communicating with saidpassage means; a second tubular :string operatively associated with saidbody and communicating with said passage means; tlrst normally retracted.means on said body expandible into anchoring engagement with theconduit to hold the body against downward movement in the conduit; meansfor transmitting the downward movement of said first tubular string tosaid tlrst normally retracted means to expand the same against theconduit; second normally retracted means on `said body expandible intoanchoring engagement with the conduit to hold the body against upwardmovement in the conduit; and means for 10 transmitting longitudinalmovement of said second tubu-- larstring to said second normallyretracted means to expand the same `against the conduit.

7. In a well apparatus adapted to be set in a well conduitfdisposed inawellfbore: a body having passage means therethrough; a iirst tubularstring operatively associated with said lbody and communicating withsaid passage means; a second tubular string operatively associated withsaid body and communicating with said passage means; first normallyretracted means on said body expandible into anchoring engagement withthe conduit to hold the body against downward movement in the conduit;means for transmitting the downward movement of said rst tubular stringto said tirst normally retracted means to expand the same against theconduit; second normally retracted means on said body vexpandible intoanchoring engagement with the conduit to hold the body against upwardmovement in the conduit; and means for transmitting downward movement ofsaid second tubular string to said vsecond normally retracted means toexpand the same against the conduit.

8. In a well apparatus adapted to be set in a well conduit disposed inawell bore: a body having a plurality `of separate longitudinal passages;a first tubular string connected to said body and communicating with oneof said passages; a second tubular string operatively associated withsaid body yand communicating with another of said passages; rst normallyretracted means on said body ex- 4pandible into anchoring engagementwith the conduit to -hoid said body against longitudinal movement in onedirec-tion in the conduit; means for transmitting the downward movementof said rst tubular string and body to said iirst normally retracted`means to expand the same against the conduit; second normally retractedmeans on ysaid body expandible into `anchoring engagement with 'theyconduit to hold `said body against longitudinal movement lin theopposite direction "in the conduit; and means for transmitting ymovementof Vsaid second tubular string to said second normally retracted meansto expand the same against the conduit.

9.. In a well apparatus vadapted to be set in a well conduit disposed ina 'well bore: a body having a plurality of separate longitudinalpassages; a tirst tubular 'string -con'- nected to 'said body andcommunicating with one of said passages; a second tubular stringoperatively associated with said body and communicating with another ofsaid passages; lirst normally Vretracted means on said body rexpandibleinto anchoring engagement with the conduit to hold said body againstdownward movement in the Vconduit; means for transmitting the downwardmovement or said rst :tubular string and body to said rst normallyretracted means to expand the same against the conduit; second normallyretracted means on said body expandible into anchoring engagement withthe conduit to hold said body against-upward movement inthe conduit; andmeans for transmitting downward movement of said second tubular stringto said second normally retracted means to expand the same against theconduit.

10. In a well apparatus adapted to be Set in a well conduit disposed ina well bore: a body having a pair of separate longitudinal passages; arst tubular string connested to said body and communicating with one ofsaid passages; sa second tubular string operatively associated with saidbody and communicating with another of said passages; Ynormallyretracted means on said body for anchoring said body `to the wellconduit against downward movement therewithin; means for transmittingthe manipulative movement of `said rst string and body to said normallyretracted means to expand said normally retracted means against the wellconduit; expander means on said body having an expander surface taperingin a downward and inward direction; normally retracted slip meansengaging said expander surface; and means responsive to longitudinal`movement of said second tubular string for shifting said expander means`and slip means longitudiganas-44 nally of each other to expand saidslip means into engagement with the well conduit; said slip means havingconduit engaging teeth facing in an upward direction to prevent upwardmovement of said body in the well conduit.

1l. In a well apparatus adapted to be set in a well conduit disposed ina well bore: a body having a pair of separate longitudinal passages; alirst tubular string connected to said body and communicating with oneof said passages; a second tubular string operatively associated withsaid body and communicating with another of said passages; normallyretracted means on said body for anchoring said body to the well conduitagainst downward movement therewithin; means for transmitting themanipulative movement of said first string and body to said normallyretracted means to expand said normally retracted means against the wellconduit; longitudinally spaced expanders on said body, each expanderhaving an expander surface tapering in a downward and inward direction;a plurality of normally retracted slips engaging said expander surfaces;and means responsive to longitudinal movement of said second tubularstring for shifting said expanders and slips longitudinally of eachother to expand said slips into engagement with the well conduit; saidslips having conduit engaging teeth facing in an upward direction'toprevent upward movement of said body in the well conduit. 12. in a wellapparatus adapted to be set in a well conduit disposed in a Well bore: abody having a pair of separate longitudinal passages; a iirst tubularstring connected to said body andcommunicating with one of saidpassages; a second tubular string operatively associated with said bodyand communicating with another of said passages; normally retractedmeans on said body for anchoring said body to the well conduit againstdownward movement therewithin; means for transmitting the manipulativemovement of said first string and body to 'said -normally retractedmeans to expand said normally retracted means against the well conduit;longitudinally spaced expanders on said body, each expander having anexpander surface tapering in a downward and inward direction; aplurality of normally retracted slips engaging said expander surfaces;and means responsive to downward movement of said second tubular stringfor shifting said expanders downwardly along said body and slips toexpand said slips into engagement with the well conduit; said slipshaving conduit engaging teeth facing in an upward direction to preventupward movement of said body in the well conduit.

13. Inra well apparatus adapted to be set in a well conduit disposed ina well bore: a body having a pair of separate longitudinal passages; arst tubular string connected to said body and communicating with one ofsaid passages; tubular guide means communicating with another of saidpassages and having an upper guide surface ltapered downwardly towardthe passage through said tubular guide means; a second tubular stringadapted to engage said guide surface and be guided into said tubularguide means passage; lirst normally retracted means on said bodyexpandible into engagement with the conduit for anchoring said body tothe well conduit against longitudinal movement therewithin in onedirection; means for transmitting the manipulative movement of saidfirst tubu` lar string and body to said rst normally retracted means Vtoexpand the same against the conduit; second normally retracted means onsaid body expandible into engagement with the conduit for anchoring saidbody to the conduit against longitudinal movement therewithin in theopposite direction; and means for transmitting the manipulative movementof said second tubular string and guide means to said second normallyretracted means to expand the same against the conduit.

14. In a well apparatus adapted to be set in a well conduit disposed ina well bore: a body having a pair of separate longitudinal passages; arst tubular string con- `nected to said body and communicating with oneof said passages; tubular guide meansV communicating with au-` other ofsaid passages and having an upper guide surface tapered downwardlytoward the passage through said tubular guide means; a second tubularstring adapted to engage said guide surface and be guided into saidtubular guide means passage; first normally retracted means ou said bodyexpandible into engagement with the conduit for anchoring said body tothe well conduit against downward movement therewithin; means fortransmitting the downward movement of said iirst tubular string andrbodyto said irst normally retracted means to expand the same against theconduit; second normally retracted means on said body expandible intoengagement with the conduit for anchoring said body to the well conduitagainst upward movement therewithin; and means for transmitting thedownward movement of said second tubular string and guide means to saidsecond normally retracted means to expand the same against the conduit.

l5. In a well apparatus adapted to be set in a well conduit disposed ina well bore: a body having a pair of separate longitudinal passages; arst tubular string connected to said body and communicating with one ofsaid passages; tubular guide means communicating with another of saidpassages and having an upper guide surface tapered downwardly toward thepassage through said tubular guide means; a second tubular stringadapted to engage said guide surface and be guided into said tubularguide means passage; normally retracted means on said body expandibleinto engagement with the conduit for anchoring said body to the wellconduit against downward movement therewithin; means for transmittingthe downward movement of said tirst tubular string and body to saidnormally retracted means to expand said normally retracted means againstthe well conduit; normally retracted slip means on said body engageablewith the conduit to anchor said body to the conduit against upwardmovement therewithin; thrust means engaged by said guide means andmovable downwardly in` response to downward movement of said secondtubular string and guide means for expanding said slip means against thewell conduit; and means on said guide means engageable with said thrustmeans in response to upward movement of said second tubular string andguide means for retracting said slip means fom the well conduit.

16. In a well apparatus adapted to be set in a well conduit disposed ina well bore: a body having a pair of separate longitudinal passages; arst tubular string oonnectedto said body and communicating with one ofsaid passages; tubular guide means communicating with another of saidpassages and having an upper guide surface tapered downwardly toward thepassage through said tubular guide means; a second tubular stringadapted to engage said guide surface and be guided into said tubularguide means passage; normally retracted means on said body expandibleinto engagement with the conduit for anchoring said body to the wellconduit against. downward movement therewithin; means for transmittingdownward movement of said iirst tubular string and body to said normallyretracted means to expand the same; a plurality of longitudinally spacedexpanders on said body, each expander having an expander surfacetapering in a downward and inward direction; a plurality ofv normallyretracted slips engaging said expander surfaces; and

thrust means shiftable downwardly in response to downward movement ofsaid second tubular string and guide means for shifting said expandersdownwardly along said 13 other of said passages and having an upperguide surface tapered downwardly toward the passage through saidtu`nular guide means; a second tubular string adapted to engage saidguide surface and be guided into said tubular guide means passage;normally retracted means on said body expandiole into engagement withthe conduit for anchoring said body to the well conduit against downwardmovement therewithin; means for transmitting downward movement of saidiirst tubular string and body to said normally retracted means to expandthe same; a plurality of longitudinally spaced expanders on said body,each expander having an expander surface tapering in a downward andinward direction; a plurality of normally retracted slips engaging saidexpander surfaces; thrust means shiftable downwardly in response todownward movement of said second tubular string and guide means forshifting said expanders downwardly along said body and slips to expandsaid slips into engagement with the well conduit; said slips havingconduit engaging teeth facing in an upward direction to prevent upwardmovement of said body in the well conduit; and retrieving meansinterconnecting said expanders to transmit upward motion 0f one expanderto another expander in respcense to upward movement of said thrust meansfor retracting said slips from the conduit.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,035,850 Black Aug. 20, 1912 1,050,689 Pierce Ian. 14, 1913 1,185,116Mack May 30, 1916 2,416,842 OLeary Mar. 4, 1947 2,570,565 Lamb Get. 9,1951 2,765,853 Brown Oct. 9, 1956

